Lighting fixture



Oct. 3, 1950 A. o. LOCKE 3 LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Sept. 13 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 1 z] Andrew 0. Locke 0a. 3, 195 0 A. d. LOCKE 2, 2 3

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Sept. 13. 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Andrew 0. LockeFatentecl Oct. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,524,353 LIGHTINGFIXTURE Andrew 0. Locke, Denver, Colo.

Application September 13, 1947, Serial No. 773,745

Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lightingfixtures.

The invention relates particularly to fluorescent light fixtures which,as is well known, usually comprise an elongate body portion having areflecting surface adjacent which elongate tubular lamps are mounted.The tubular lamps have their ends supported in sockets which aresuitably mounted at the opposite ends of the body of the fixture. It isthe usual practic to cover the ends of the fixture with end caps ormembers which enclose and conceal the sockets and which add a decorativetouch to the xture. These end caps or members are ordinarily secured inposition by screws, clips or other removable mounting means which entailremoval of the entire cap member whenever access to the sockets or otherparts at the end of the fixtureunit is desired.

Further, many fluorescent fixtures employ glass panels in conjunctiontherewith which usually extend the entire length of the fixture on thesides and sometimes along the bottom thereof. These glass panels may beemployed for the purpose of shielding or diiiusing the light or may beused only for their decorative value. Ordinarily, the panels areseparate from the fixture and are arranged to be demountably secured inposition, whereby access to the tubular lamps behind the panels can behad only by completely detaching or removing said panels from thefixture.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improvedfluorescent lighting fixture having its end members or caps pivotallymounted on the fixture whereby said members may be quickly and easilyswung from their normal position enclosing the ends of the fixture topermit free access to the lamp sockets, fixture starters or othermechanism without the necessity of entirely detaching or removing thecaps from said fixture.

An important object of the invention is to providean improved lightingfixture wherein the end caps or members are so mounted that said memberswill automatically remain in any outward position to which they areswung, whereby the necessity of manually holding said members in theirouter positions is obviated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fixture, ofthe character described, wherein each end cap or member is formed with acentral pivot lug which is frictionally confined and pivoted betweenelements formed on the fixture, whereby the frictional engagement of(Cl. 2405l.11)

said elements with the pivot lug functions to maintain the member in anyposition to which it may be swung; the particular arrangement being suchthat swinging or rotative movement of the lug between said element willnot loosen the pivot bolt on which the member is mounted so that thenecessary frictional engagement for holding the member in its variouspositions is maintained at all times.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a fluorescentlighting fixture having the improved end caps or members, of thecharacter described, and in addition having glass panels mounted on thesides of said fixture, with said end caps co-acting with said panels tohold the latter in position on the fixture.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fixturewherein elongate glass panels extend longitudinally on each side of thefixture in a position overlying the tubular lamps of said fixture; eachpanel being pivoted to the fixture at the upper portion of each end ofthe panel and normally hanging free and being arranged to have theirends engaged and confined by the pivotally mounted end caps of thefixture, whereby so long as the end caps are in a normal positioncovering the ends of the fixture, the glass panels are maintained inproper position overlying the lamps of said fixture; outward swinging ofthe end caps releasing the panels .to permit said panels to be manuallyswung on their pivots to a position which allows the fixture lamps to bereadily accessible without the necessity of entirely removing saidpanels.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved fixture,of the character described, wherein the glass panels are so mounted withrespect to the end caps that swinging of the end caps into positioncovering the fixture ends automatically swing the panels into theirproper position on the fixture whereby said panels are returned to andconfined in such proper position without the necessity of manuallyswinging said panels independently of the end caps.

A still further object of the invention isto provide an improved fixturewherein each glass panel is pivotally mounted by means of a pin and slotconnection and also wherein means is provided for co-acting with thepanel when it is swung outwardly to hold said panel in its extendedposition, whereby the panel need not be manually held in such extendedposition.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together With other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a fixture, constructed in accordance with thinvention, and illustrating the improved end members,

Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of one of the end members,

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation of the end member with a portionthereof broken away to show the pivotal mounting thereof,

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the end portion ofthe fixture,

Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 1, and illustrates glass panelsmounted on the fixture,

Figure 6 is an enlarged, isometric view of the end portion of thefixture shown in Figure 5,

Figure 7 is an end view of the fixture with a portion of the end memberbroken away to illustrate the glass panels confined in their proporposition,

Figure 8 is a similar View, with the glass panels .swung to an extendedposition,

Figure 9 is an elevation of the end portion of the fixture with the endmember swung outwardly and shown in section,

Figure 10 is an isometric view, illustrating the mounting of the glasspanel, and

Figure 11 is a sectional detail showing the co-action between the endmember and glass panel.

In the drawings, the letter A designates a fluorescent lighting fixturewhich comprises the usual hollow body or shell it which has a generallysemi-circular shape in cross section, with its upper surface [Gasubstantially flat. Flanged closure plates ii are secured to the ends ofthe body or shell and have radially disposed lamp sockets l2 suitablyfastened therein. Tubular lamps 63 have their ends engaged within thesockets and extend longitudinally on the outer surface of the fixture inthe usual manner. The

.fixture may be mounted on the ceiling or other .supporting surface inany desired manner, but

as illustrated, the body portion or shell In is lformed withlongitudinal channel bars ltl which are suitably secured to the uppersurface liia. The channel bars are connected byscrews IE or otherwise toa hanger plate ld-but it is understood that the particular mounting ofthe fixture is subject to variation.

The closure plates or elements ll which are secured t the ends of thebody or shell ll! of 5."

the fixture have the electrical sockets l2 secured thereto and theseplates, as Well as the socket members are clearly visible from the endof the fixture. In order to cover the fixture end and to enclose thesockets l2 so as to give the fixture A a decorative appearance, it isthe general practice to cover the end portions with end members or caps.Ordinarily, these caps are mounted on the fixture by means of screws,clips or other means which make the end caps wholly detachable andremovable from the fixture. The use of end caps which may be entirelyremoved from the fixture presents certain in Figure 1. Since each endcap 28 is identical in construction, it is believed that a descriptionof one will suffice. Each cap member comprises a relatively flat plate2| which has a shape generally conforming to the cross sectional shapeof the fixture. The plate is provided with an inwardly directed flange22 which extends around the sides and bottom of the plate 2| and whenthe cap or member 2!! is in a position covering the end of the fixture,the flange 22 encloses the sockets i2 and end portions of the tubularlamps i3.

A central rib 23 is preferably made integral with the plate 29 and isprovided primarily for decorative purposes. The rib is formed with apivot lug 25. at its upper end, this lug being disposed adjacent thecentral portion of the upper end of the plate 2i. The lug 24 is adaptedto be disposed between upstanding metallic prajections or ears 25 whichears are preferably formed by cutting out a section of the inwardlydirected flange lid of the closure ii and then bending the materialupwardly, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The metallic ears 25 haveacertain inherent resiliency and the transverse width of the pivot lug24 is such that said lug fits snugly between said ears. In order toprovide a frictional engagement between the ears and said lug, a pivotbolt 2% extends through openings 2i in the ears and a transverseopening-28 in the lug. The outer end of the pivot screw or bolt 26receives a nut 29 and a suitable split washer 36 is interposed betweenthe head of the bolt'25 and the adjacent ear 25.

It will be evident that when the bolt 25 is tightened, the ears 25 areurged into a close frictional engagement with the pivot lug 24 and suchfrictional engagement is maintained because of the split washer 30. Withthis arrangement, each end member or cap is pivotally mounted on the endof the body or shell Ill of the fixture and when swung inwardly to theposition shown in dottedlines in Figure 4, covers the end of the fixtureand its fiange 22 encloses the sockets l2 and end portions-of thetubular lamps It to hide the same. When it isd'esired to gain access tothe lamp sockets or to the starters ll if the starters are accessiblefromthe end, it is only necessaryto manually swing the cap member 29outwardly to the position shown in full lines in Figure l. Because ofthe particular mounting of the cap, whereby the upright ears 25frictionally engage the pivot lug 24, the cap will be held or maintainedin any position to which it is swung. Because of the provision of theupright ears, swinging of the cap 2! causes a rotation of the pivot lugaround its supporting pivot bolt 26 and therefore there is no tendencyfor said bolt to become loosened by swinging of the cap. The frictionalengagement of the ears 2'5 with the lug 2 i is sufficient tosupport theweight of the cap 29 and for this reason, the

"cap will be maintained or held in any position to which it is swung,thereby obviating the necessity of manually holding the cap in its outerpositions. It is noted'that the split washer functions to constantlyurge the ears into frictional engagement with'the lug and therefore, anywear which might ordinarily tend to reduce the frictional contact isautomatically compensated for. It is also noted that the pivot boltcould, if de sired, be welded or otherwise permanently-attached inposition, rather than using the re movable nut29.

In many instances sidepanelswhicn are usually constructed of glass aremounted on fluorescent fixtures for the purpose of shielding ordifiusing the light rays or for decorative purposes. It has been thepractice in the past to mount these panels in such manner that they mustbe removed in order to permit replacement of the tubular lamps whichthey cover. The particular end member and its mounting arrangement,

hereinbefore described, is especially adapted for co-acting with sidepanels to maintain said panels in position on the fixture and in Figuresto an arrangement is shown wherein a fmodified form of end member or capis combined with glass side panels mounted on the fixture.

and said caps 23a have the same feature of being held or maintained inany outward position to which they are swung.

. Glass side panels 3i are mounted on each side of the fixture and saidpanels are identical in construction. As is clearly shown in Figure 10each panel 3| has its vertical edge portions confined within a groove 32of a channeled, angular retaining bar 33. The bar may be formedbysecuring two angle bars 33a and 34a together with their lateral anglesspaced form the groove or channel 32. The inner angle bar 3 1aterminates short of the upper end of the outer bar 33a (Figure 10) andthe bottom edge of the panel is supported upon straps 33b which span thelower end of each groove 32.

The outer bar 33a of each retaining member 33 is provided or formed withan elongate slot 35 and this slot is adapted to receive a pivot screw 36which is mounted in the end of a horizontal support 31. As is shown inFigures 7 and 8 the support 31 is suitably fastened to the closure platell of the body or shell ll] of the fixture. Thus, it will be seen thateach glass panel 3| is pivotally suspended from the support 31 andnormally hangs in a substantially vertical position. The supporting bar37 is disposed immediately adjacent the inner surface of the end cap264: and this locates the upper end of the retaining bar 33 contiguousto and inside the plane of the inwardly directed flange 22a of the endcap 20a. When the end cap is swung completely outwardly the upperportion of the flange 22a is swung clear of the upper end of theretaining members 33 whereby the glass panels may be swung outwardly andupwardly. However, when the side panels are hanging in a normallyvertical position, the disposition of the upper ends of the members 33with respect to the flange 22a of each end cap 23a allows the inwardswinging of the end caps 23a to cause an engagement of the flanges 22awith the retaining members 33 of the panels, as shown in Figure 11. Thisresults in said panels being swung inwardly into a position covering thetubular lamps and as shown in Figure 7.

When it is desired to gain access to the tubular lamps, it is onlynecessary to swing the end caps 28a outwardly and said caps will beautomatically maintained in their outer position. The caps are SWuIlgoutwardly a sufiicient distance to allow the flange 22a thereof to clearthe retaining memfrom each other to bers or bars 33 of the side panels3|. When this is done, the side panels 3| will swing to a verticalposition as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 7. By grasping thelower end of each panel, the operator may swing said panel upwardly anddue to the elongate slots 35 may then move said panels inwardly untilthe upper ends of the retaining members or bars 33 of each panel areengaged beneath supporting screws 38 which are mounted in the support3?. Engagement of the upper ends of the channel bars 33 of each sidepanel with the screws 33, as shown in Figure 8, causes the panels to befirmly supported in an extended position. The operator is then free toremove the tubular lamps or to do any other work necessary on thefixture. At this time, both the side panels 3|, as well as the end caps2041 are swung to an outward position and are automatically held in suchposition.

When the side panels are to be returned to their normal overlyingposition on the fixture, each panel is moved outwardly from beneath thescrew 38 and is then permitted to swing downwardly to its substantiallyvertical position. The end caps are then swung inwardly and asexplained, the co-action between the flanges 22a and the upper portionsor" the retaining bars 33 of the side panels, cause said side panels tobe swung inwardly into their normal position confined within the flanges22a of the end caps.

From the foregoing it will be evident that a fixture having side panelsand end caps which are readily swung out of position to permit freeaccess to the working parts of the fixture is provided. The arrangementpermits both the end caps and the side panels to be maintained or heldin their outer position without the necessity of manually holding thesame in such position. Also the side panels, as well as the end caps areattached to the fixture so that they need never be completely removedtherefrom to permit access to the various parts of said fixture.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the de--tails of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A lighting fixture including, an elongate main body having lampsockets secured adjacent its ends, a plurality of tubular lampsextending longitudinally of the body and having their ends engagedwithin and supported by the sockets, a pair of panels disposed one oneach side of the fixture and having their upper ends pivotally connectedto the body, each panel being adapted to normally hang vertically fromits pivotal point and being movable either inwardly from such verticalposition to overlie the tubular lamps or outwardly from such verticalposition to permit access to said lamps, end members pivotally mountedat each end of the body for covering said body and enclosing thesockets, and means on each end member for engaging the panels to con--fine said panels against outward swinging movement when the end membersare in a normal position covering the ends of the body, said last namedmeans coacting with the ends of the panels when said panels are in avertical position to automatically effect inward swinging movement ofsaid panels when the end members are swung inwardly to a positioncovering the ends of the body.

"5 2. A lighting fixture including, an elongate main body having lampsockets secured adjacent itsends, a plurality of tubular lamps extendinglongitudinally of the bodyiarid having their ends engaged within andsupported .by theisockets, a pair ofhpanelsudisposed one on .each sideof the fixture andhaving their upper ends ipivotallyconnected .totheibody, eachupanel being adapted to normally hangvertically from itspivotal point ,and :being movable eitheriinwardly from such verticalposition to .overliethe tubular lamps or outwardlyfrom/suchverticalposition to permit access to ,said lamps, end members,pivotally 'mountediat each end ofvthe body forcovering said body andenclosing the. sockets,v an inwardly directedlfiange on each .endmemberadapted to confine. theendportions of the panels therein to maintainithesame'inianiinner position overlying the tubular lamps, said flange alsoengaging and coeacting withthe end portions of the panels i xsvvung and.means on the. fixture coacting with H eachz'panel'when the same is swungto the limits of-its :outer movement for holding said panel in such.outward position.

i ;5..'A lighting fixture including, an 1 elongate mainebody havinglamp, sockets secured'adjacent itssends, aiplurality of tubular lampsextending longitudinallyof the (body and having their endsiengaged'withinand supported by the sockets, end memberscmountedontheend portions of the body :for covering.,.said end portions and forenclosing .the :,so ckets, .each, end member having a single pivotlugat. its upper central portion With said me having flat sidesurfaces,a pair of upstanding proj ectionsupset from the material of which thebodyis.constructedand located on each end of the .ibodyrbetween whichthe pivot lug of each end member is disposed, said projections havingfiat surfaces Whichengage the fiat side surfaces of the pivot 111g, anda pivot bolt extending through said projections and lug to pivotallymount eachend member on said bo ,.each pivot bolt being tightened tourge its respective projections into close frictional engagement withthe lug ,betiveensaid projections, whereby each end I member may beswungoutwardly to uncover the end portion of the body and may be retaincdmthe position to which it isswung by the frictional engagement of theprojections with its pivot lug.

ANDREW O. LOCKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED" STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,284,534 Orth H May 26, 1942 V2 ,291.,493 V Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,301,238 Alm Nov. 10, .19422,327,230 Weber Aug. 17, 1943 2,330,507 McCabe Sept. 28, 1943 2,335,736Campen Nov.,30, 1943 2,360,448 Schockett Oct..1'7, 1944

